🔥 Around the Campfire (week 35)

Dear Campers ~ 

Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

8/24: 🔥 week 34

8/25: kid craft: seahorse

8/26: TT connections game

8/27: classic key lime pie 

8/28: no-bake key lime pie 

8/29: kid craft: rainbow fish 

8/30: words (coffee and Jesus)

That's it for this week! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

 8.31.24: words (2/3 of life)

8.31.23: beef and mushrooms

8.31.22: hawaiian quilt

8.31.21: TT - how to make cake layers

8.31.20: crochet band for face mask

8.31.19: braised short ribs

8.31.18: farmhouse projects

8.31.17: remoulade sauce

8.31.16: coconut cream filled cupcakes 

8/30 ~ Words

8.30.24: turkey tostadas

8.30.23: godzilla cake

8.30.22: TT rv spice cabinet

8.30.21: layered birthday cake

8.30.20: 🔥 week 35

8.30.19: card holder hack by Brooke

8.30.18: photo storage cheat sheet

8.30.17: Robert Redford cake

8.30.16: repotting plants

Kid Craft: Rainbow Fish

Here's the last of the kid crafts that Mickey shared with me after their adventure to NC with friends - we've seen the shell turtle, jellyfish, seahorse and now there's the rainbow fish. Love this one!

It appears miss Georgia got tired of gluing gems on her rainbow fish outline, idea is still cute though hahah. 😂

So their story was (obviously) "Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister. I don't remember their snack but maybe it was Swedish fish - if not just go with either goldfish or rainbow colored fruit-skewers, cupcakes, etc. I'd go with fish shapes or rainbow colors. 

Shout out to Meghan for telling Mickey to share these with me so I could blog them LOL!!! 

8.29.24: thru the years

8.29.23: TT elevate a boxed cake mix

8.29.22: Man-day Monday: walleye sandwich

8.29.21: 🔥 week 35

8.29.20: old world sauerkraut supper

8.29.19: spiral pull-apart pizza

8.29.18: coconut rum cake

8.29.17: to do list by Brooke

8.29.16: bling your shoes!

No-Bake Key Lime Pie

P asked me to make her key lime pie for her birthday, she'd had a piece at Red Lobster recently and was craving it - I asked if it was a baked custard-y one or more of a no-bake fluffy one but she wasn't sure...so I made both!

click here for the baked version I posted yesterday

Here's the recipe for the no-baked pie - everyone liked both versions but this was the favorite. I pretty much followed the recipe other than I assembled this in a springform pan, used key lime juice in the filling, and topped it with cool whip. After it was in the fridge for 4 hours I put it in the freezer and it was great, the texture is light and fluffy - perfect for a summer recipe.

CRUST:

• 1 2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 8 T. unsalted butter, melted

PIE:

• 16 oz. cream cheese, softened 
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 T. lime zest
• 1/4 granulated sugar 

1. In a bowl, combine crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9" pie dish.

2. Combine the softened cream cheese with condensed milk, lime juice, sugar and lime zest in a bowl until creamy and well incorporated.

3. Pour the pie filling over the crust. Spread evenly and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight. Garnish as desired with limes, lime zest, or whipped cream. 

recipe found here at spend with pennies 

8.28.24: thru the years

8.28.23: pallet board centerpiece box

8.28.22: 🔥 week 35

8.28.21: computer prob, no post

8.28.20: homemade jeopardy game

8.28.19: giant whoopee pie cake

8.28.18: s'more cookies

8.28.17: hoop earrings with beads

8.28.16: steakhouse wedge salad

Classic Key Lime Pie

P asked me to make her key lime pie for her birthday, she'd had a piece at Red Lobster recently and was craving it - I asked if it was a baked custard-y one or more of a no-bake fluffy one but she wasn't sure...so I made both!

This first one is the baked version, I pretty much followed the recipe other than I used a store-bought crust and topped it with cool whip. I made this a few days before her dinner and put it in the freezer, (thaw before serving) and it held up great. 

CRUST

• 12 full sheets graham crackers
• 2 T. granulated sugar
• 6 T. salted butter, melted

FILLING

• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 12 cup bottled key lime juice
• 1 T. grated lime zest, plus more for garnish
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 T. powdered sugar 

1. Preheat the oven to 350'. For the crust: combine the graham crackers and sugar in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. Pour in the melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are well coated and stick together when pinched. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake until just set, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. 

2.  For the filling: whisk the egg yolks, condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest in a medium bowl until combined. Pour the filling into the crust and bake until the center is set but still slightly jiggly, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.

3.  Before serving, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Spread on the pie and garnish with with lime zest. 

recipe found here at pioneer woman 

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8.27.24: TT mini salami rose skewers

8.27.23: 🔥 week 35

8.27.22: roasted radishes

8.27.21: computer prob, no post

8.27.20: comeback sauce

8.27.19: TT wrapping paper holder

8.27.18: newspaper purse update

8.27.17: broccoli salad

8.27.16: Moscow Mule

Tip-sy Tuesday: Connections Game

I play the NYT Connections game with a group of friends and I love trying to figure out the categories. In case you also play but maybe struggle to make the connections, my tip is to look for the trick. It's a game and they definitely sometimes make it seem like it's going to be one thing when really it's another. Don't fall for the easy answers!  

In case you haven't played - every day is a new puzzle of 16 words and you have to figure out 4 groups of 4 words that go together for some reason. Here's the game from last Sunday - if you were playing the game you'd click on 4 words you think go together then 'submit' and it'll tell you if you got those 4 right. If not try again, you can have 4 mistakes:

This is what it looks like after you've made your connections correctly:

Just remember to look for the not-as-obvious answers!

8.26.24: matching tutu (matches highchair tutu) 

8.26.23: words

8.26.22: charcuterie egg plate

8.26.21: marinated goat cheese w/roasted grapes

8.26.20: baked steak fries

8.26.19: giant crepe paper garland 

8.26.18: 🔥 week 34

8.26.17: a funny for the day...

8.26.16: matching game

Kid Craft: Seahorse

Last week I shared a couple fun kid craft day ideas (click here for a turtle theme, and here for jellyfish), today I'll show you this cute seahorse themed craft. They glued multi-colored squares of tissue paper on a seahorse outline and added a googly eye - I don't know what story or snack went along with the seahorse but the craft is really cute for little ones!

I Googled for some snack suggestions:

For a seahorse-themed party, offer snacks like Goldfish crackers, clam-shell cookies, seaweed snacks, and starfish-shaped sandwiches. Other ideas include fish and chips for a fun, ocean-inspired menu.

And for a story maybe "If I were a Seahorse" Jellycat book; "Secret Seahorse" by Stella Blackstone; or "Mister Seahorse" by Eric Carle.

day 1 shell turtle 

day 2 jellyfish 

day 4 rainbow fish

8.25.24: 🔥 week 34

8.25.23: MSTI dish scrubber

8.25.22: easy swedish meatballs

8.25.21: s'more brownie pie

8.25.20: TT - celsius to fahrenheit

8.25.19: 🔥 week 34

8.25.18: skinny margarita

8.25.17: dutch braid pig tails by Brooke

8.25.16: notebook paper frame 

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 34)

Dear Campers ~ 

Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

8/17: 🔥 week 33

8/18: kid craft: shell turtle

8/19: TT rope lights on deck 

8/20: kid craft: jellyfish

8/21: corn chowder #2

8/22: little beers 

8/23: words 

That's it for this week! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

8.24.24: words (younger sister)

8.24.23: plum bbq sauce/spoon sweet

8.24.22: nutter butter trifle

8.24.21: TT - air travel water bottle

8.24.20: amish friendship bread, part 2

8.24.19: aperol spritz

8.24.18: eek - spiders! (and removing them)

8.24.17: apple pudding (cake)

8.24.16: banana muffins

8/23 ~ Words

I came across this writing that I saved years ago from a memorial celebration of life for our friend Travis; it's a little sadder than I usually share but reading it again moved me so we'll get serious for just a minute.

Death is nothing at all.

It does not count.

I have only slipped away into the next room.

Nothing has happened.

Everything remains exactly as it was.

I am I, and you are you,

and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name.

Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference into your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.

Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was.

There is absolute and unbroken continuity.

What is this death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you, for an interval,

somewhere very near,

just round the corner.

Written by Henry Scott Holland

8.23.24: stuffed portobello mushrooms 

8.23.23: carrot orzotto

8.23.22: TT culinary torch

8.23.21: columbia 1905 salad

8.23.20: 🔥 week 34

8.23.19: sausage stuffed dates

8.23.18: freezing tomatoes 

8.23.17: buckeyes

8.23.16: how to baste eggs

Little Beers

Our camping neighbors made us these "Little Beers" shots last fall and I meant to blog them but didn't remember doing it - so when they brought 'em out again last night I had to check to see if I shared it, and nope. So hear ya go - these are surprisingly tasty (I'm not a big shot drinker and don't like any that are creamy-heavy) and they are simple to make. They're especially cute if you have clear shot glasses so you can see that they look like little beers. It's just Licor 43 which is a vanilla liqueur topped with cream or half-and-half which gives it the appearance of a beer with a foamy top. 

Pour chilled Licor 43 into your shot glass until it is 3/4 of the way full. Create a foam head by slowly pouring a thin layer of heavy cream or half-and-half on top, you can pour it over the back of a spoon into the glass to ensure that it layers properly and doesn't mix with the Licor 43.

Unfortunately we didn't have clear shot glasses last night and had them in tiny solo cups, so I can't show you the presentation! I'm borrowing this photo I found online at anothercocktailblog.com so you get a visual. 

8.22.24: refrigerator pickled beets

8.22.23: TT random stripe generator

8.22.22: baked meatballs

8.22.21: 🔥 week 34

8.22.20: amish friendship bread

8.22.19: MSIH: zucchini pizza boats

8.22.18: buckeye brownie cookies

8.22.17: diy chip clip by Brooke

8.22.16: directional sign

Corn Chowder #2

The recipe I followed for the last corn chowder post was great but a little more involved than this easy recipe using creamed corn as the base. 

Side story: my sister planned some fun games for my b-i-l's birthday based on his likes/dislikes - one of them was throwing bean bags at empty cans of either kernel corn or creamed corn. He has an unreasonable  hate of creamed corn haha. One point for knocking over a kernel corn can, one point subtracted for hitting a creamed corn can. So - the point of this story is that she had 3 cans of creamed corn they weren't going to eat so I took it to make this soup!

We all really liked this one, and you can't really tell that it started with disliked creamed corn hahah. Plus...bacon!! 

I followed this exactly other than I didn't warm the half-and-half before adding it to the soup and it was just fine; I also used fat-free half-and-half so it wasn't quite as thick but I'm good with that. 

well I certainly didn't take a good pic of this yummy soup!

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup diced bacon
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cups cream-style corn
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups half-and-half

DIRECTIONS:

2. Cook bacon in a large pot over medium-high heat until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain, leaving bacon and 2 tablespoons grease in the pot.

3. Add potatoes and onion to the pot; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add corn, water, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer, stirring frequently, until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

4. Warm half-and-half in a small saucepan until it bubbles; remove from the heat just before it boils. Mix into chowder.

5. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts 

           

calories255
total fat 9g
saturated fat 5g
cholesterol 26mg
sodium 972mg
total carbohydrate 40g
dietary fiber 4g
total sugars 5g
protein 7g
vitamin c 27mg
calcium 85mg
iron 1mg
potassium 699mg

recipe found at allrecipes

8.21.24: roasted cabbage

8.21.23: bobble stitch and flannel baby blanket

8.21.22: 🔥 week 34

8.21.21: chocolate peanut butter layered pie

8.21.20: cricut baby onesies 

8.21.19: crustless mini quiche

8.21.18: t-shirt rag quilt

8.21.17: ceiling light decoration

8.21.16: stuffed cabbage rolls. 

Kid Craft: Jellyfish

Day 2 of the kid crafts Mickey shared with me that they did while on vacation in NC with Meghan and her family - each day they had a theme with a craft, snack, and story that fit the theme.  For reference I think the kids are all little, the 2 girls I know are ages 2 and 3. Obviously tailor your theme days so they are age appropriate. 

They made jellyfish from a painted paper plate cut in half, attach google eyes and strips of crepe paper. 

I can't remember what story they read but here's a couple ideas: 

• Can You Dance like a Jellyfish? by Penney Adams
• The Jellyfish who lost it's Glow illustrated by Richard Merritt
• Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

I think their snack was an Uncrustable so I wonder if they read peanut butter and jellyfish?! 

day 1 shell turtle 

day 3 seahorse

day 4 rainbow fish 

8.20.24: TT dirty dozen fruits and veg

8.20.23: 🔥 week 34

8.20.22: ambassador shirley temple

8.20.21: banana cream pudding pie

8.20.20: sushi tower

8.20.18: Marcia's green chili frittata

8.20.17: potato squash gratin

8.20.16: chopped competition

Tip-sy Tuesday: Rope Lights on Deck

We've tried different ways to get a strand of rope lights to stay attached to the steps of our Fifth Wheel and also look nice - I finally got it to work and look good by attaching them with cable ties - they stay perfectly in their place and I don't have to fuss with them at all. I'll cut them when it's time to close-up for the season but it's very easy to put fresh ones on next Spring. The lights outline our stairs which is great at night so we don't have to leave the outside overhead security light on but can still safely navigate the stairs, and the the excess is coiled under the bottom step so it's kinda festive looking. 

8.19.24: high chair tutu

8.19.23: words

8.19.22: snackle box

8.19.21: personalized mimosa glasses

8.19.20: gingersnaps

8.19.19: shadow box memory collage

8.19.18: 🔥 week 33

8.19.17: twisted frozen grapes

Kid Craft: Shell Turtle

Mickey shared photos with me of the kid crafts they did while on vacation in NC with Meghan and her family - each day they had a theme with a craft, snack, and story that fit the theme. I'll share them with you this week, love this fun idea to entertain the kiddos! For reference I think the kids are all little, the 2 girls I know are ages 2 and 3. Obviously tailor your theme days so they are age appropriate. 

Here they made this adorable turtle using construction paper, a big painted shell, googly eyes and buttons. (one button obviously fell off on the plane ride home!).  

I can't remember the other details of each day but I googled for a couple suggestions. Turtle day craft is making these cute shell turtles; for the story you could read Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss, The Foolish Tortoise by Richard Buckley, or If I Were a Turtle by Anne Wilkinson; and hmmm for a snack I'm not sure - maybe decorated cupcakes or cookies? Or maybe white chocolate fruit turtles using kiwi and grapes like I saw here at food-bites, click here for their instructions.  Too cute!! 

day 2 jellyfish 

day 3 seahorse 

day 4: rainbow fish 

8.18.24: 🔥 week 33

8.18.23: msti air-fryer drumsticks

8.18.22: chicken breast in cream sauce

8.18.21: oreo rice krispie treats

8.18.20: tip-sy tuesday: measuring sticky ingredients

8.18.19: 🔥 week 33

8.18.18: scrambled eggs and toast 'chick'

8.18.17: school hairstyle by Brooke

8.18.16: 30 day ab challenge 

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 33)

Dear Campers ~ 

Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

8/10: 🔥 week 32

8/11: Georgie's party dress 

8/12: TT layering vinyl

8/13: playhouse flower box 

8/14: ice cream cone cupcakes

8/15: no-bake reese's squares v2

8/16: words (awkward pet photo)

That's it for this week! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

8.17.24: words (she is clothed)

8.17.23: tricolore salad with oranges

8.17.22: yard sign

8.17.21: tip-sy tuesday - fruit filled crescent rolls  

8.17.20: painted letters and an engagement cake

8.17.19: grape and broccoli salad

8.17.18: morse code bracelets 

8.17.17: caprese salad (tomato mozzarella salad)

8.17.16: chocolate peanut butter layered dessert  

8/16 ~ Words

 

8.16.24: bourbon berry bramble

8.16.23: chocolate caramel cookies

8.16.22: TT things to toss

8.16.21: personalized drink cups

8.16.20: 🔥week 33

8.16.19: tuna avocado egg salad

8.16.18: sloppy joes

8.16.17: s'more pie

8.16.16: mashed cauliflower

No-Bake Reese's Squares (v2)

My sis requested (like you've never heard this before) something Reese's for her birthday (it's either peanut butter or s'mores every year). I've made her buckeyes and buckeye squares along with lot's of other peanut butter things, I posted making "Reese's Squares" in the past (click here for that recipe) but technically those were buckeye squares - this time I thought I'd try making them with the addition of graham cracker crumbs to make them even more Reese's like. And they turned out great, I will for sure make this recipe again. I followed it exactly and the only thing I'll do differently next time is to add a pinch of coarse salt - I used unsalted butter and it needed just that little pop of salty in all the sweet.

Side note: Kyle had one and said to me 'you know what is the only thing that would make these better?' and I said to add salt? LOL yep that's exactly what he thought as well. 

The reviews are quite good but my favorite one is:

"My "expert" (her dad) said it wasn't good enough to be a true Reese's because it didn't have chocolate on the bottom, but he liked the over all taste and texture."

haha - not good enough to be a true Reese's 🙄😂

I forgot to take more pics, this was all the squares left to photograph haha! 

• INGREDIENTS:
  1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  1 lb. confectioners' sugar (3 to 3 1/2 cups)
  1 1/2 cups peanut butter
  1 cup butter, melted
  1 (12 oz.) bag milk chocolate chips
  DIRECTIONS:

• Combine graham crumbs, sugar and peanut butter and mix well.
• Blend in melted butter until well combined.
• Press mixture evenly into a 9 x 13 inch pan.
• Melt chocolate chips in microwave or in double boiler.
• Spread over peanut butter mixture.
• Chill until just set and cut into bars (these are very hard to cut if the chocolate gets "rock hard").

recipe found here at food.com 

8.15.24: smash cake 

8.15.23: TT opening clamshell packaging 

8.15.22: baked walleye

8.15.21: 🔥 week 33

8.15.20: mini succulent shadowbox

8.15.19: cheeseburger shepherds pie

8.15.18: zucchini bread or cake